#hakitzu

[kuatostudios]

Happy 1st Birthday Hakitzu!

A year ago, we launched Hakitzu on iOS and what a year it has been.

Thanks to everyone who has supported the game in the last year.

[kuatostudios]

“I love the game. I think is the best game I ever played. The best,” said one of the Year 5s from Snowsfields Primary School in London, which we visited as part of our #100HoursofCode initiative and #HourofCode Week. 

If you would like us to come and introduce your students to JavaScript, sign up for one of our free #100HoursofCode sessions here: http://bit.ly/100hoursofcode

[kuatostudios]

We had a great time introducing students at Thomas Tallis School in Kidbrooke to JavaScript with Hakitzu. Here are a few photos from the session.

Check out our video about the session here: http://youtu.be/ub4pRWpcRow 

You can sign up for your own #100HoursofCode session here: http://bit.ly/1mKyTEy

If you’re looking to bring #Haktizu to the classroom, download our Teacher’s Pack here: http://bit.ly/1bWatVj 

Photos by David Parry/PA Wire

[kuatostudios]

#HourofCode at Halcyon International School - Guest Blog by Lenny Dutton

During the last week of term students at Halcyon London International School took part in an Hour of Code for Computer Science Education Week. I had wanted to teach coding before, but found that there were not enough apps suitable for my students. Firstly, many apps taught students the main principles of coding, but had drag and drop blocks and didn't show them how to actually code. Secondly, apps just weren't right for teenagers, as they were either too babyish or not cool enough. Then we discovered Hakitzu Elite, a game where students use code to get robots to battle their friends.

We were lucky enough to have several members of Kuato Studios come in to work with our students, introducing them to the game and even battling them. Hakitzu Elite allows students to code at different levels, starting at the drag and drop level, all the way to writing code. It also allows students at different levels battle each nother. This was a fantastic feature of the game, as all students could work at a level that challenged them, but students could do this at their own piece, while still playing against their friends!

Students really enjoyed the graphics in the game, especially the different arenas to battle in and being able to customise the look of their CodeWalker! Whereas many coding apps are just there to teach coding, having these features makes the app seem like any other game.

This term I am teaching a whole unit of coding to two grades. The main aim is to get them to learn to code, then to teach coding to their fellow students. One grade will be teaching coding to our grade 6/year 7 students. During this unit we will be looking at several apps, but focussing on Hakitzu Elite, as this will appeal to our students the most. Students will not only teach grade 6/year 7 to code using Hakitzu, but will plan a tournament between both year groups.

All of our students loved taking part in an Hour of Code with Hakitzu Elite and when they found out they would be doing a whole half-term on coding, there were actually cheers! Coding not only gets our students ready for a multitude of jobs, but it teaches them great skills, such as problem solving and logic as well as helps them to become creators, instead of just consumers. As someone who has never coded before, let alone taught coding, Hakitzu Elite was a fantastic tool that gave me the confidence to deliver fun and engaging lessons to my students.

-----------------

You can follow Lenny Dutton on Twitter @MissEDutton and find out more about Halcyon International School here: http://halcyonschool.com/

Haktizu Elite is available on iOS and Android!

If you’re looking to use Hakitzu in the classroom as a learning tool, take a look at our Teacher’s Pack! We would love to hear what you and your students think of the game, so let us know on Twitter @KuatoStudios.

[kuatostudios]

Unlock the Ultimate Weapons!

Making your CodeWalker into the ultimate Hakitzu warrior takes strategy and determination! To turn your warrior into the ultimate fighting machine you need to be able to buy the best weapons in the ChopShop.

Weapons are bought using Coding Credits, which are awarded on completion of Single Player Challenges and in the matches won in the arena. The higher the Coding Rank you pick to play at, the more Coding Credits you can earn.

If you want to stand out in the arena, you really want to get your hands on the Fire and Laser weapons. These extra special weapons cannot be bought, but are earned through the completion of challenges and matches.

Play more and earn more. Victory is in the code.

[kuatostudios]

Hakitzu Elite: Robot Hackers - Now on Android!

The latest version of Hakitzu Elite has landed on iOS and, for the first time, on Android! The game is now free to play and features a brand new look and feel. The tutorial system has also been updated and teaches the game while simultaneously guiding you through a coding bootcamp. A refreshed Chop Shop helps you customize your CodeWalkers with the best weapons for combat. Facebook and Gamecenter integration allows you to compete with friends. The new in-game leaderboards rank you against your friends, taking your rivalry to a new level. Victory is in the code.

Get the game on iOS here: http://bit.ly/1bvv7Wd Or on Android here: http://bit.ly/1kz0MeX

If you are looking to use Hakitzu Elite in the classroom or at a coding club, take a look at our Teachers’ Pack, which includes a guide to the game and lesson plans. You can download it here: http://bit.ly/1bWatVj

[kuatostudios]

Hakitzu Elite - Featured in the iTunes “Learn to Code” Collection

Kuato Studios is proud to announce that Hakitzu Elite has been featured as the top app in the iTunes “Learning to Code” section of the iTunes App Store for Educational Apps. A great start to Computer Science Education Week!

Take a look here: http://bit.ly/18I7jUW 

Haktizu is great for students who want to learn code, but are not sure where to start. It’s a turn-based game of robotic combat where players learn the basics of coding while battling robots in both single and multiplayer missions. No previous coding knowledge is required as players progress from Beginner, to Coder, to Hacker. The braver the player is to input code, the more points are won, which in turn unlocks increasingly elaborate weapons for battles in the arena.

An updated version of Hakitzu will be out very soon and brand new features will make it an even better game to learn the rudiments of JavaScript! The new version will also be available on Android. In addition, a teachers’ pack will offer a comprehensive guide to the game and lesson plans.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ or join our mailing list on our website to be the first to know when the new version is out.

During Computer Science Education Week, we're holding a live Q&A session with our programmers Vicky and Scott. Find out more about the event here: http://bit.ly/1cXSz10

[kuatostudios]

After 2 years it was time to celebrate projects past, present and future with cake and a few drinks!